Extra- and intranuclear heat perception and triggering mechanisms in plants

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Molecular Biology
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Global warming threatens crop yield and quality, impacting food security.
• Developing heat-resistant crops requires understanding plant heat tolerance mechanisms.
• Recent research has begun to elucidate initial heat perception events in plants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of recent advancements in plant heat perception and response mechanisms.
• To summarize key molecular players involved in plant thermoreception.
• To identify future research directions in plant heat tolerance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on plant heat perception.
• Synthesis of findings on molecular signaling pathways.
• Discussion of potential thermosensor candidates.

Main Results:

• Calcium ions (Ca²⁺), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and nitric oxide (NO) are critical for heat perception.
• Potential plasma membrane-associated thermosensors include NAC transcription factor NTL3, TT3.1, and TOT3.
• Cytoplasmic HDA9, PIF7 mRNA, and chloroplasts are involved in heat perception.
• Intranuclear transcriptional condensates (phyB, ELF3, GBPL3) play a role in heat perception.

Conclusions:

• Plant heat perception involves a complex network of signaling molecules and potential thermosensors.
• Further research is needed to fully understand these intricate mechanisms.
• Elucidating these pathways is vital for breeding climate-resilient crops.